Theaters

In this section you can find information about the theaters in Rotterdam.

You can consult the performances of all the theaters in Rotterdam through this link.

Main theaters in Rotterdam

Oude / Nieuwe Luxor Theater

The Oude Luxor Theater in Rotterdam, originally opened as a luxurious cinema in 1917, became the largest cinema in the Netherlands, boasting an impressive capacity of 1,180 seats. The prominence of the Luxor attracted the interest of the German UFA, which eventually acquired the property in 1926. The building was completely demolished and in 1928 the Luxor Palast emerged, with 1600 seats, becoming a hub for German films and miraculously surviving the bombing of 1940.

Despite the ravages of war, the theater emerged unscathed and underwent significant renovations in 1947 (even changing its name again), 1972, and 2014. Today, with over 900 seats, the theater offers an eclectic program ranging from cabaret and concerts to musicals, dance, opera, theater, and family shows.

In 1995, the decision was made to erect a new Luxor theater in Kop van Zuid, which opened in 2001. The Nieuwe Luxor, with a capacity of 1,500 seats, hosts major productions in genres such as musicals, musical theater, cabaret, opera, dance, and more. Additionally, the theater is home to various cultural and festive events.

Oude Luxor Theater. Kruiskade 10, 3012 EH Rotterdam.

Nieuwe Luxor Theater. Posthumalaan 1, 3072 AG Rotterdam. Visit their website on this lin k.

Theater Rotterdam

Rotterdam Theater was created in 2017 from the merger of Ro Theater, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Productiehuis Rotterdam, and Wunderbaum.

The Ro Theater was founded in 1977.

The Rotterdamse Schouwburg, erected in 1988, represents an architectural landmark built in the former space left by the ravages of war, where in 1947 an emergency theater was initially erected.

The old building was demolished in 1984, giving way to the current Rotterdamse Schouwburg, one of the jewels of the Rotterdam Theater housing two halls with over 870 seats.

At the heart of this cultural institution, over 500 productions are presented annually spanning theater, music, opera, youth theater, dance, and a variety of festivals. This stage has witnessed performances by the most prominent theater, opera, and dance groups worldwide, making it an essential reference in the international artistic scene.

TR25 Schouwburg. Schouwburgplein 25, 3012 CL Rotterdam

TR8 William Boothlaan. William Boothlaan 8, 3012 VJ Rotterdam. Visit their website on this link.

Theater Walhalla

In the 1980s, the Katendrecht neighborhood in Rotterdam, a former port area, faced new challenges after the ban on prostitution, and became an unattractive place. The municipality decided to transform the area.

Rachèl van Olm and Harry-Jan Bus, cultural entrepreneurs, saw opportunities in this neighborhood and decided to open Theater Walhalla in 2008, inspired by a famous nightclub from the past. This theater is located in the same place as the famous Dancing Walhalla before World War II.

Theater Walhalla, with its 72-seat capacity, opened a second hall called Kantine Walhalla in 2014, and in 2018 inaugurated the Workshop Walhalla in a former gymnasium. This workshop seeks to develop professional talents and foster experimentation and artistic growth.

Walhalla organizes over 300 performances annually and hosts various festivals. With around 40,000 visitors each year, the theater has become a key point in the cultural scene of Katendrecht and Rotterdam. The mission of Theater Walhalla is to entertain, surprise, inspire, and challenge through its theatrical programming, connecting creators and audiences. The vision involves managing a theater stage for artistic practice and a workshop for talent development, serving as an engine for renewal and innovation in theater circuits.

Theater Walhalla has become a key player in the cultural scene of Katendrecht and Rotterdam, offering a variety of performances and festivals, and promoting the development of artistic talents.

Theter Walhall. Sumatraweg 9, 3072 ZR Rotterdam. Visit their website on this link.

Prinses Theater

Het Prinses Theater in the Delfshaven neighborhood, with over a century of existence, holds the title of being the oldest in the city, opening in 1914 as Concordia Bioscope and evolving into a cinema and variety theater from 1917.

Although it closed in 1973, the building has been renovated and modernized without losing its rich history. Entrepreneurs Dennis Rens and Ernst Hoogenboom plan to utilize this unique space for various events, from corporate parties to dinner shows and discussions.

With an innovative initiative, Rens and Hoogenboom aim to preserve this cultural treasure for future generations, combining cultural programming with events, with an eye on the future for the next 100 years.

Prinses Theater, with 1,100 square meters, offers a completely renovated versatile space for meetings, fairs, conferences, and events from 20 to 850 people.

Prinses Theater. Schiedamseweg 19A, 3026 AB Rotterdam. Visit their website on this lin k.

Jeugdtheater Hofplein

The Stichting Jeugdtheater Hofplein, also known as Stichting Hofplein Rotterdam, was established in 1985 in the original space of the Technikon in Rotterdam, formerly an underused theater/classroom since 1970. Under the name Hofpleintheater, the venue was revitalized in 1985 by theater creator Louis Lemaire, becoming “Jeugdtheater Hofplein”. Lemaire took the initiative to turn it into a space where children were not only spectators but also actors.

This theater, with a unique facade by Karel Appel and colorful seats, presents exclusively performed plays by children and young people each season, being a prominent name in Rotterdam.

It offers classes and workshops for young people, activities during vacations, and the possibility to host children’s parties.

Committed to youth, Jeugdtheater Hofplein organizes the National Youth Commemoration and rents out its spaces for corporate events.

Jeugdtheater Hofplein. Benthemplein 13, 3032 CC Rotterdam. Visit their website on this l ink.

Theater Zuidplein

The Theater Zuidplein was built in Rotterdam-Zuid in 1954.

In its early years, the theater, originally called Grote Schouwburg, was very popular in Rotterdam. It was a regional theater where prominent Dutch theater artists and internationally renowned musicians performed. In 1978, after a major renovation, the theater adopted its current name, “Theater Zuidplein”. Due to the city’s demographic changes and programming that did not change with them, the number of visitors sharply declined in the following years.

In the 1990s, thanks to the intervention of the municipality, Theater Zuidplein managed to change its situation. The programming began to consider more the new inhabitants of Rotterdam and, over time, Theater Zuidplein became a truly inclusive theater for everyone in Rotterdam and its surroundings.

Theater Zuidplein. Zuidplein 60-64, 3083 CW Rotterdam. Visit their website on this lin k.

Other options to go out in Rotterdam